Mr Leonid Danilovich KUCHMA
expressed his sincere thanks for the opportunity to speak to the
Assembly. He was grateful to those who had supported Ukraine’s accession
to the Council of Europe, which was an expression of confidence
in the Ukrainian people and their leaders in the process of reform.

Ukraine bore responsibility for transforming a totalitarian
society into a democratic one. He was aware that Ukraine was one
of the last countries to throw off communism and in the five years
of progress towards democracy there had been a political struggle
between democratic elements and remnants of totalitarian forces.

Ukraine had not yet adopted a new constitution, but he assured
the Assembly that he would do all he could in this regard. When
the Constitutional Council had drafted a final version of the constitution
it would be discussed in parliament. All Ukrainians would then have
the chance to decide in a referendum whether to adopt it. If they decided
to do so, it would represent the culmination of efforts to create
a constitutional Ukraine, which had begun in 1710.

The process of economic reform was now yielding results. The
commitment to market principles was producing economic stability
and GDP was declining more slowly than in the past. The rate of
privatisation had increased, wages had risen in 1995 and higher
industrial and agricultural output was expected. The government
followed rigid credit and monetary policies. Although there was
still far to go, real progress was being achieved.

He was pleased with the assistance that European and world
organisations, such as the Council of Europe, the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary
Fund, had offered his country.

The legislative framework was being brought up to European
standards. It was essential to fulfil Ukraine’s obligations to the
Council of Europe. Certain parts of the population did not agree
with policies necessary to fulfil international agreements, for
example the abolition of the death penalty. However, the Ukrainian Government
recognised that these had to be met. Ukraine was grateful for the
Council of Europe’s assistance in the facilitation of democratic
and economic reform. It was determined to maintain close involvement
with the Council’s work.

There was concern in Ukraine about the increasing numbers
of those returning to the country who had been deported during the
years of communism. This was causing both political and economic
problems.

Ukraine sought closer relations with both Europe and the wider
world. An important development had been the signing of the Partnership
and Co-operation Agreement in 1994. It sought a free trade agreement
with the European Union, which it also hoped to join in due course.
Good relations had developed with the North Atlantic Assembly, Western
European Union and Nato. Ukraine was in favour of a gradual and
open-ended expansion of Nato membership, which ought to take a closer
interest in the security of neutral countries.

Ukraine was keen to resolve the pressures for Crimean separatism,
which were highly damaging. The autonomy of the region was guaranteed
in the constitution.

He was convinced that no one in Europe was interested in seeing
Ukrainian separatism set an example to other countries. Ukraine
was in favour of civic peace. The situation in Europe did not give
grounds for self-satisfaction and there were problems to be solved.
The future of European security should be based on the indivisibility
of security and should be comprehensive. International organisations
such as the United Nations, Nato and WEU were capable of solving
many existing international security problems. The Council of Europe
had also done much to help in the field of security. Ukraine was
developing bilateral relations with its neighbours. Ukraine had no
territorial claims on any other country and would resist territorial
claims. Its relations with its northern neighbour were based on
the principle of non-interference.

Ukraine was co-operating with several international ventures,
such as the Black Sea initiative. The economic and ecological dimensions
of security were also important. In particular, Chernobyl was an
international problem and it was unthinkable that it be resolved
without international co-operation. The attention paid to Chernobyl
at the G7 summit was welcome. Ukraine wanted to co-operate in these
international efforts. The main prerequisite for democracy in Ukraine
was an independent Ukraine based on a civil society, a market economy,
and the rule of law. Within the next few years they would have taken
further strides towards democracy. Ukraine was making an effort
to build a united and prosperous Europe.

Members of the Assembly have expressed a wish to put questions
to you. I would remind them that then- questions must be limited
to thirty seconds. I would also ask them not to make speeches.

A substantial number of colleagues have expressed a wish to
ask Mr Kuchma questions. To ensure that as many as possible are
able to put their questions, I hope that members will not wish to
put supplementary questions.

A number of colleagues have expressed a wish to ask questions
on similar subjects. I believe that it will be for your convenience,
Mr Kuchma, and for that of the Assembly, if I call them to put their
questions as a group, to which you may then reply. The first group
consists of questions on Ukraine’s relations with Russia, and I
give the floor first to Mr Kelam.

Mr KELAM (Estonia)

What is your
comment, Mr President, on your neighbouring country Belarus’s recent decision
to reunite with the Russian Federation – particularly in the light
of the recent decision by the Russian Duma to annul the dissolution
of the Soviet Union? What are the possible consequences of such
developments for Ukraine and Ukrainian national security policy?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that this was a right that
Belarus had and it had asserted its right. Ukraine had, in December
1991, chosen another path. The Ukrainian people pronounced themselves
in favour of independence in a referendum.

Mr MUEHLEMANN (Switzerland) (translation)

Madam President,
ladies and gentlemen, I have a similar question with which I should
like to go a little further into this subject. In your opinion,
will this development that involves several CIS states entering
into closer relations with Russia continue, and are you also considering
any deepening of your own relations with Russia?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that Ukraine had always
been in favour of co-operation with Russia. Relations with Russia
were part of their history. He was against the creation of supranational
bodies.

Mr SOLÉ TURA (Spain)

Do you think that
the present situation in Chechnya could have some influence on the
status quo in the region and on your own politics?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that it was Ukraine’s policy
to support the territorial integrity of Russia. He did not, however,
support the way in which a solution was currently being pursued. Ukraine
supported Mr Yeltsin’s attempts to find a solution by peaceful means.

Mrs MIHAYLOVA (Bulgaria)

It is obvious
that the newly formed coalition between Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan
and Kazakhstan is of great concern not only to the Balkan states
but to Bulgaria, whose name has been mentioned by President Yeltsin
as a possible future member of that coalition with the Baltic states.
Do you commend that proposal?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that there was no way back
to the former Soviet Union. The creation of the Commonwealth of
Independent States had not worked practically, and any further such
creations would meet the same fate.

Mr HEGYI (Hungary)

As the respected
head of the independent Ukraine state, what do you think about the Russian
Duma’s declaration that the abolition of the Soviet Union was invalid?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that legally the decision
had no consequences for Ukraine. The decision was merely an attempt
to secure electoral popularity.

Mr MOTIU (Romania)

Would you agree
to become part of the Russian confederation again and give up your independence
and sovereignty and accept the secondary role that you had in the
former Soviet Union?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

repeated that he was against
supranational unification. Relations with adjoining countries should
be equitable and based upon good neighbourly partnerships.

Mr SCHLOTEN (Germany) (translation)

Madam President,
my question has been answered by the replies to the questions asked
by the previous speakers, especially those of Mr Kelam and Mr Muehlemann.
Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT

The next
group of questions to which one reply will be given consists of
questions tabled by Mr Németh and Mr Bolinaga on the death penalty.
I call Mr Németh.

Mr NÉMETH (Hungary)

On behalf of
the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, I would like to
know whether, in future, Ukraine will respect the moratorium on
executions. There are rumours that Sergej Draqunov, Vitaly Gumenynk,
Danilo Krasnow, Anatoly Skiby, Zanr Zilfuqanov, and Sergej Tekucsev
have been executed. I stress that the credibility of Ukraine is
at stake unless you can prove that those rumours are false.

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that Ukraine was aware
of the need to comply with all its obligations.

Mr BOLINAGA (Spain) (interpretation)

said that he was
concerned about the case of a 24-year-old man who had been sentenced
to death. He made a plea to Mr Kuchma to revoke the decision, given
Ukraine’s new role within the Council of Europe which had voted
enthusiastically for its admission into the Organisation.

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that he would pay close
attention to the case.

THE PRESIDENT

We now come
to a new series of questions on energy policy. I call Mr Banks.

Mr BANKS (United Kingdom)

You mentioned
Chernobyl in your excellent speech. The nuclear complex at Chernobyl
was due to be closed at, I think, the end of 1993, but it is still
functioning and we read that it looks likely to continue functioning
into the next century. Following the promises given to you, the
agreement between the G7 countries and Ukraine over resources for
alternative energy and the closure of Chernobyl, could you give
us a progress report? Has Ukraine received any resources from the
G7 countries to meet those objectives?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

reminded the Assembly that the
danger was not from the operating units but from the 200 tonnes
of nuclear fuel contained within the concrete casing of the fourth unit
which was the one that had caused the disaster, ten years previously.
Feasibility studies for a new casing had been undertaken and another
operating unit would close down this year, leaving only one still
generating electricity. He believed that comprehensive measures
were in place and pointed out that the International Atomic Energy
Authority (IAEA) had said that the remaining operating units were
no more dangerous than others of the same type.

Mr GJELLEROD (Denmark)

I wish to ask
a question about energy, but from a longer-term perspective. How do
you see the relationship between the development of a pan-European
energy infrastructure and the economic development of your country?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that co-operation with
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the
energy sector was a priority for national security reasons. Ukraine
was currently using two to three times more energy per caput than
other European countries.

Mr MICHELOYIANNIS (Greece) (interpretation)

asked what progress
had been made towards the final decommissioning of Chernobyl since
the 1995 agreement between Ukraine and the G7.

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that such an agreement
had been signed at Winnipeg but that no detailed financial procedures
had been established.

Mr BEHRENDT (Germany) (translation)

Thank you very
much, Madam President. I should like to ask about the actual timetable
for closure of the installations. Do you feel that it will be possible,
given the support of the G7 states, to shut down the reactors in
Chernobyl that are still operating by the year 2000? What possibilities
do you see of basing Ukraine’s energy supplies on non-nuclear sources,
for example gas turbine or environmentally friendly coal- fired
power stations?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

Mr KUCHMA (Interpretation) said
that two more nuclear reactors would be commissioned shortly and
that the coal power stations in Ukraine would be refurbished.

Mr BIRRAUX (France) (translation)

An incident that
occurred recently at the Chernobyl nuclear power station was kept secret
for several weeks. This has raised doubts about the break with the
principles of the communist regime, for which the only thing that
counted was production, since it punished those who were to blame
for stoppages in production.

What do you intend to do in future to ensure that the sole
concern of Ukrainian nuclear power managers and workers is safety,
a measure that does not necessitate G7 funding?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that Ukraine hid nothing
and acted according to international standards. The IAEA was able
to supply information and had not complained to Ukraine. Discussion
of this matter was based on speculation in the Ukrainian press.

Mr MIGNON (France) (translation)

Mr President,
what is happening at Chernobyl naturally concerns Ukraine but also humanity
as a whole. Recently, another serious accident occurred while one
of the reactors was being refuelled. We only learned of the accident
several months later.

Bearing in mind the efforts made by the international community,
you will easily understand that we should like to be informed immediately
whenever an accident of this type, which is considered very important,
occurs. Do you intend to inform us in future, though hoping of course
that such accidents will not happen again?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that sadly these incidents
were not rare, and were common to a number of countries with such
reactors, not only Ukraine. He promised to take note of comments made
by the Assembly with regard to the provision of information and
take action where necessary.

Mr SOLONARI (Moldova) (interpretation)

asked whether
Mr Kuchma intended to take action to resolve the question of property
rights on the Moldovan/ Ukrainian border. He also enquired what
progress had been made to develop a free trade agreement between
the two countries.

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that he hoped to sign a
free trade treaty based on agreements made between the two countries
over previous years. This was the first time he had been made aware
of possible problems concerning property on either side of the border.
He would look into the matter.

Mr SEVERIN (Romania)

What are the
main obstacles, if any, to the conclusion of the basic treaty between Ukraine
and Romania? In your opinion, what are the means of overcoming those
potential obstacles?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that there were good relations
between the two countries. He noted the number of agreements and
the active dialogue between them. The countries concerned should
recognise decisions taken by the international organisations and
conferences – notably that held in Helsinki.

Mr EVERSDIJK (Netherlands) (translation)

Mr Kuchma,
I have seen that you are as much a businessman as a politician, and
it is in the former capacity that I would like you to answer my
question. You aim to attract foreign investors, notably those from
the west, just as the Netherlands is in fact doing in the fields
of transport, agriculture and telecommunications. What safeguards
do you intend to provide for investments, so that Ukraine and its
foreign investors can make a profit?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

replied that the main requirement
was the further development of the legal framework.

Mr VALLEIX (France) (translation)

Mr President,
could you enlighten the Assembly regarding the distribution of the
fleet of the former Soviet Union? Has agreement been reached on
the use of the naval bases? What is the present position regarding
the implementation of this agreement both for Ukraine and for the
Crimea?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that this was an important
matter for the Crimea, Ukraine and Russia. Some progress had been
made, for example the stationing of the Russian navy in Ukraine had
been resolved. However, the status of the base in the Black Sea
still caused problems. Ukraine hoped to reach a solution soon.

Mr LAAKSO (Finland)

During your successful
visit to Finland recently, I am sure that you were informed that we
have a Swedish-speaking minority of 4,6% of the population and two
official languages. What plans does your country have concerning
the rights of national minorities, especially in respect of languages?
Do you have any plans to have more than one language and if not,
why not?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

confirmed that all opportunities
for such rights were accorded to minorities in Ukraine. If problems
existed concerning the Finnish minority in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Government
would try to resolve them. Every minority had the right to express
itself in its own language.

Mr PAUNESCU (Romania)

What is your
opinion of the effect of the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop pact? For example,
northern Bukovina was removed from Romania and given to the former
Soviet Union, and now the southern part of Moldova has become a
part of Ukraine. Should not these matters be discussed? Are you aware
of the problems faced by Romanians in Ukraine?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that the Molotov-Ribbentrop
pact was not a question that should be addressed to Kyiv. They had
no right to question the order that took shape after the second
world war.

Mr JASKIERNIA (Poland)

Mr President,
in your excellent speech, you said that Ukraine was not against
the expansion of Nato, but you added that you thought the process
should be gradual. When do you think the time will be right to extend
Nato? Can you comment on those politicians who suggest that the
extension of Nato towards eastern Europe will be dangerous for the
region and that we should rather seek another security plan for
the region?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that this was a very complicated
matter indeed. Nato only included democratic countries who had no
territorial claims on their neighbours. Europe should not be divided
into two camps. The views of all Europe, especially Russia, should
be taken into account.

Mr YÜRÜR (Turkey)

Thank you, my
question has already been answered by the president in his speech.

Mr FIGEL (Slovakia)

I am grateful
for the opportunity to have this debate and to exchange views on
Ukraine. My question was also answered by the president. I want
to inform the president that we will continue our discussions and
debates in the Committee on Relations with European Non-Member Countries
in early May in Kyiv and Sebastopol, and we are looking forward
to that.

Mr KORAKAS (Greece) (translation)

Mr President,
thank you for having come to Strasbourg to address the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe and for agreeing to answer questions
by the representatives of the parliaments of European countries.

You said that a new constitution is being drafted. In this
draft, according to our information, you maintain and even increase
the powers of the president to the detriment of parliament. Do you
really believe that, under these conditions and in this spirit,
we can look forward to the development of democracy? What lessons
can we draw from actual experience so far?

Mr Kuchma, President of Ukraine (interpretation)

said that he did not know where
Mr Korakas obtained the information that the president wanted to
enlarge his powers. The constitution had been approved by the Ukrainian
Parliament and it corresponded to all international standards.

Mr OLEINIK (Russia) (interpretation)

said that his
question had already been answered.

THE PRESIDENT

Thank you
very much. That brings to an end the questions to Mr Kuchma. I thank
him warmly on behalf of the Assembly for his statement and his remarks.
We have had a chance to ask all of the questions that we wanted
to ask.